porcelain CROWNS – HAMPTON, NH
Restore and Protect Your Damaged Tooth
Porcelain crowns restore and protect damaged teeth while also beautifying them, making this a treatment that fits in both the restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry categories. At Smiles by the Sea, we create long-lasting, customized dental crowns designed to protect teeth and help them look natural, so they blend in with the rest of your smile.
Problems Fixed By Porcelain Crowns
A dental crown – sometimes called a cap – is designed to fit over a damaged or unsightly tooth to make it stronger, function properly, and look better. Crowns are usually made of porcelain because the material is so durable and can be designed to look just like the rest of your teeth in color and shape.
There are many oral health circumstances that call for a crown, including:
· Tooth decay: If the size of a cavity is so large that a large amount of tooth structure must be drilled away to remove the decay, there will not be enough enamel to support a tooth-colored filling. A crown protects the treated area and the rest of the tooth.
· Infected tooth: When a tooth must undergo root canal therapy because of a deep infection, there will be enamel removal and the structure of the tooth will be compromised – unless it is covered by a customized crown. This double solution also protects the tooth from extraction, and it is always your dentist’s goal to preserve natural teeth whenever possible.
· Fractured tooth: A cracked or chipped tooth is open to bacteria and food particles, which means infection and decay are likely if treatment is not pursued. Topping this problem tooth with a crown prevents further damage and restores the tooth to full strength and beauty.
· Weak tooth: When a tooth is weak because of age or worn enamel, it is susceptible to decay and damage. A crown makes a weak tooth tough and protects it from breaking down, while also safeguarding neighboring teeth.
· Misshapen tooth: An unsightly tooth that is misshapen or oddly sized can be built up to the right shape and form by a personalized porcelain crown.
· Stained tooth: Sometimes, a discolored tooth cannot be whitened, but you certainly wish it would blend into the rest of your teeth. By covering it with a crown you get a sturdy, natural-looking solution.
The Porcelain Crown Process
Getting a porcelain crown usually takes two visits to your Hampton dentist.
Here is what you can expect:
· Preparation: At your first dental visit, the tooth in question will be prepared for a crown. Decay will be removed, if necessary. An impression of your mouth will be taken so the crown can be designed just for you by a dental lab.
· Patience: Once the instructions for your crown have been sent to the lab, it usually takes about two weeks for the restoration to be ready. Depending on the condition of the tooth in question, you may receive a temporary crown while you wait for the permanent one so your smile is not marred.
· Completion: Once the crown is ready, you will visit your dentist again, have the temporary crown removed, confirm the fit and look of the crown, and have it permanently bonded to your natural tooth and adjusted as needed.
Are You A Good Candidate For Porcelain Crowns?
If you practice good daily oral hygiene by brushing and flossing, visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup, and avoid using your teeth as tools to open something, your crown can last for decades. This versatile dental restoration is attractive, strong, and helps you have a more attractive and robust smile.
Find out if you’re a good candidate for a porcelain crown. Schedule an appointment at Smiles by the Sea in Hampton, NH.
